Biopolymers obtained by solid state irradiation in an unsaturated gaseous atmosphere
OwnerGlyn Owen Phillips, Tjaart Andries Du Plessis +2inventors
InventorsGlyn Owen Phillips, Tjaart Andries Du Plessis, Saphwan Al-Assaf, Peter Anthony Williams
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method for modifying naturally occuring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas, typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical propserties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine, food technology and other industrial applications. Notwithstanding the modifications, the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer.
Claims53
A process for modifying a naturally occurring biocompatible biopolymer, said biopolymer being a polysacchiaride;
- the process comprising subjecting said biopolymer, in the solid, or dry state, to a source of ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas which is an unsubstituted alkynic gas and annealing the resulting product in the absence of oxygen at a temperature of about 40 to 120° C., and thereafter removing any residual mediating gas.
A process for modifying a naturally occurring biocompatible biopolymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides of microorganism, plant or animal origin, a protein of animal connective tissue origin, a protein of other animal tissue origin, a combination of at least one of said polysaccharides and at least one other protein of plant origin and demineralized bone, said process comprising subjecting said biopolymer in the solid or dry state, to a source of ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas which is an unsubstituted alkynic gas and annealing the resulting product in the absence of oxygen at a temperature of about 40° to 120°, and thereafter removing any residual mediating gas.
A process for modifying a tissue of animal origin, said process comprising subjecting said tissue sample or a component thereof in the solid, or dry state, to a source of ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas which is an unsubstituted alkynic gas and annealing the resulting product in the absence of oxygen at a temperature of about 40° to 120° C., and thereafter removing any residual mediating gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.